Tirinyi road half closed over stolen culverts
May 24, 2010
THE Iganga-Tirinyi-Mbale road has been partially closed at Mpologoma swamp after a huge hole emerged on the side of the highway.
By Milton Olupot
THE Iganga-Tirinyi-Mbale road has been partially closed at Mpologoma swamp after a huge hole emerged on the side of the highway.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Police yesterday announced that the affected side of the road would be sealed off.
UNRA said the hole developed after culverts were stolen from the bridge.
But passersby who talked to The New Vision suspect that the culverts caved in.
Heavy trucks heading to Mbale town from Jinja were yesterday diverted through the Iganga – Bugiri –Tororo – Mbale route.
Although buses were allowed to use the highway, passengers had to alight at the affected section of the highway.
The Police urged motorists not to speed on the affected road, while heavy trucks were advised to use alternative routes like the Tororo-Mbale road.
UNRA, in a statement yesterday, said after the Armco culverts were removed, water seeped into the embankment, weakening the road.
It has embarked on emergency repairs to have the culverts replaced and the road repaired.
“The most affected side of the road is the right hand side lane as one travels from Iganga to Tirinyi. It is eroded and unsafe for use by motorists,†the road authority said.
THE Iganga-Tirinyi-Mbale road has been partially closed at Mpologoma swamp after a huge hole emerged on the side of the highway.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Police yesterday announced that the affected side of the road would be sealed off.
UNRA said the hole developed after culverts were stolen from the bridge.
But passersby who talked to The New Vision suspect that the culverts caved in.
Heavy trucks heading to Mbale town from Jinja were yesterday diverted through the Iganga – Bugiri –Tororo – Mbale route.
Although buses were allowed to use the highway, passengers had to alight at the affected section of the highway.
The Police urged motorists not to speed on the affected road, while heavy trucks were advised to use alternative routes like the Tororo-Mbale road.
UNRA, in a statement yesterday, said after the Armco culverts were removed, water seeped into the embankment, weakening the road.
It has embarked on emergency repairs to have the culverts replaced and the road repaired.
“The most affected side of the road is the right hand side lane as one travels from Iganga to Tirinyi. It is eroded and unsafe for use by motorists,†the road authority said.